-
"Zubbles"
At long last, we can all blow colored bubbles. When I read this I thought to myself, “You mean we couldn’t before?” But then I thought about it and I realized I’d never actually seen a colored bubble. It turns out that it’s very difficult to manage without staining whatever the bubbles happen to pop…
-
This is just for fun…
Because I like the band Marcy Playground, and their fourth album hit stores today, and they distributed this cool player for everyone to listen to the new tunes. Try the songs “Blackbird” (not a Beatles cover) “Star Baby,” or “Down the Drain.” They’re my favorites.
-
A book update, sort of, and a funny video just for the heck of it.
But the book news is more of a tease than a real update. My editor sent me the “concept” that they’re working on for my book cover (awesome!) as well as the artist they’d like to work with. They don’t know yet if he’ll be available when they need him, but I really hope he…
-
Why History is Important
I was recently browsing in a book store, and couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between a mother and her teenage daughter right next to me. The daughter was looking for a new book to read, and her mother was offering guidance on the titles she thought would interest her daughter. The daughter picked up Jane…
-
Who Can Write?
A little while ago, a friend of mine emailed me with this question about the ability to write stories: Don’t you think one is born with it, or not born with it? It probably wouldn’t appear magically at the age of 45, right? I actually think the capacity to tell stories is there in everybody. …
-
And don't forget the eye of newt
I thought this was pretty interesting. Historians have unearthed a 17th century “witch bottle” in Greenwich, England. Apparently, you were supposed to bury these things upside down in your yard to keep those pesky neighborhood witches from putting a curse on you, your family, or your cow. Ingredients included urine, nail clippings, scraps of metal,…
-
Movie Adaptations
I’ve recently been thinking about what makes a good feature-length movie adaptation of a picture book, and what doesn’t. I’ve decided that I don’t think picture books can be directly adapted for feature films. At least, not in the sense that a novel can. Picture books are an art form altogether different from other types…
-
10ers
As an author with a debut novel coming out in 2010, I’m now a member of the 10ers, a group of authors who also each have a debut novel coming out in 2010. Stop by and take a look at their bios and books. I’m in really good company. Here’s my bio from their site,…
-
I'm published
I have sold my first book. Scholastic plans to publish it in the Fall of 2010. I’m still walking around as though I’ve stumbled into some alternate reality, where everything looks the same, but at the same time kind of doesn’t. So, a little background on the deal. Back in January, I posted about signing…
-
Just so you know…
I’ll be posting infrequently for a while. There’s a lot going on and not enough time to do it in. But I plan to resume regular weekly posting in a few months. Thanks.
The blog of author Matthew J. Kirby
